[Drowning]

Two Halifax County children drowned yesterday after falling through the ice of a local pond.
(-----------------)
[TAKE MAP FULL essc 103]
Eleven year old Christopher Carr and seven year old Montia Carr broke through the ice of a pond near their family's property.
Rescue units were dispatched to the scene just before 5:30 yesterday evening.
(------------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Divers recovered the bodies in ten feet of water.
The brother and sister were taken to Halifax Regional Hospital where efforts to revive the children were unsuccessful.

[Ford-Cuts]

A major announcement from Ford--
The company says it's cutting more than 20- thousand jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dearborn, MI;]

But the changes don't stop there--
Ford is also closing five plants in the U-S and elimininating four vehicle lines-- including the Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar,Mercury Villager and the Lincoln Continental.
They'll be phased out by the end of the year.
Officials say the the moves will save the company nine- billion dollars by mid- decade.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:17:55]
[IN Q=It's a compromise.]
[SUPER=01-Bill Ford/Ford Chairman and C. E. O.;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=make this work]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Ford says the steps are needed because the company underestimated its competitors and the economy.
(------------)

ALL THE PREPARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THE GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE ...
AND SOLDIERS THERE ARE READY. THEYVE EVEN DONE A DRESS
REHEARSAL.HANDCUFFING AND MARCHING THEIR COLLEAGUES TO THE SAME CELL
BLOCKS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY BUILT FOR THE AL-QAIDA AND TALIBAN
PRISONERS. THOSE PRISONERS, CALLED SUICIDALLY DANGEROUS, WERE HOODED
AND SHACKLED BEFORE BOARDING THE C-17 ENROUTE TO CUBA.
(SOT)COL.DAVID PHILLIPS/US ARMY TC7:09:06:17
You just cant let your guard downbe held.
(LOCATOR: KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN)

PRISONERS STILL BEING HELD AT THIS BASE IN KANDAHAR WILL SOON BE ON
THEIR WAY TO CUBA.
AS THE INITIAL PLANELOAD OF PRISONERS TOOK OFF YESTERDAY, THE BASE IN
AFGHANISTAN CAME UNDER ENEMY FIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SOT: FIRST LT. JAMES JARVIS/MARINE SPOKESMAN: We do not believe that
these two events were related. We keep the movement of the detainees a
very closely held secret here.
A HUNT IS UNDERWAY FOR THE ATTACKERS... BELIEVED TO BE MORE A DOZEN
GUNMEN ARMED WITH AK-47S.
(STANDUP)
IN PAKISTAN, SOME REMAINS HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN FOUND OF THE SEVEN
MARINES KILLED WHEN THEIR KC-130 CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN. BUT THE
SEARCH CONDITIONS REMAIN SO DIFFICULT, NO ONE KNOWS FOR CERTAIN HOW LONG
IT WILL TAKE TO LOCATE ALL OF THE VICTIMS.

))[India-Pakistan]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

More fighting between Pakistani and Indian forces along what was labeled a cease- fire line.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indian-Pakistani Border;]

The violence is happening in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Indian forces fired mortar bombs at two villages Wednesday and yesterday.
Indian and Pakistani forces have been locked in a standoff on their border since the December 13 attack in New Delhi.
14- people died, including the five attackers.
There have been daily exchanges of fire across the border.
Dozens of people -- both soldiers and civilians -- have been killed or wounded.
(------------)

Junta is accused of manslaughter in the beating death of another father, Michael Costin, at their children's hockey practice.
The jury resumed deliberations this morning after getting the case yesterday.
If convicted, Junta could face up to 20 years in prison.
(------------)

[Magnolia]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jsc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]

News from the governors office today of a business expansion in Hillsville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hillsville/File Tape;]

Governor Jim Gilmore announced that Magnolia Manufacturing, Carroll County's largest employer, will add twenty-five new jobs.
Magnolia chose Carroll County over facilities in North Carolina for the expansion.
Gilmore also approved a 150 thousand dollar grant from the Governor's Emergency Opportunity Fund to assist Carroll County with the project.
The yarn manufacturer has four facilities in the area employing 418 workers.
(------------)

[Altavista-Jobs]

More than 60 new jobs are also on the way to Altavista.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Altavista/1994]

Ross Products division of Abbott Laboratories will spend 29 million dollars to expand its plant.
The state also chipped in more than 500-thousand dollars to help land the deal.
Ross Products makes nutritional formulas for infants and adults and has operated the facility in Altavista since 1972.
(-------------)
[WX-Tease]
((TOSS TO LEO))
[1/11/2002]
[SS=NONE]LEO IN WX-CENTER

[WXPRO/FULL]
TIMELAPSE
STORY
WATER LEVELS
[SS=NONE]LEO TOSS BACK
[Tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Still to come on the newscast, we will see what the Roanoke school system is considering to ease its budget problems.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And Big Tom fell a little short last night on television's Survivor broadcast. Patrick Evans will have an interview with Rich Valley's favorite son after this break.
(---------------)

[City-Schools]

The Roanoke City School board is looking at ways to cut expenses to deal with its financial problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Last night, the board held a public meeting on the proposed 2002-2003 budget.
Administrators expect a budget shortfall of almost two million dollars next year mainly due to a reduction in state aid.
They're warning cuts are most likely on their way throughout the school system.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:28:55]
[IN Q=We're looking at personnel]
((RICHARD KELLEY/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF OPERATIONS: WE'RE LOOKING AT PERSONNEL, WE'RE ALSO LOOK AT OPERATIONAL EXPENDITURES THAT DON'T DIRECTLY AFFECT THE CLASSROOM SUCH THINGS AS CENTRAL OFFICE, SOME OF THE SUPPORT FUNCTIONS THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR POSSIBLE REDUCTION.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Kelley/Assistant Superintendent of Operations]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=at for possible reduction]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Nearly 40 positions could be eliminated but administrators believe those cuts will be made through attrition.
The school board plans to finalize next year's budget in March.
(------------)

[Survivor]

A soccer player turned out to be the Ultimate Survivor last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-"Survivor"]

The tribal jury on T-V's "Survivor Africa" gave Ethan Zohn the million dollar prize by a 5-to-2 vote.
Kim Johnson won the final two immunity challenges to earn her spot in the final two.
Lex Van Den Bergh took the third spot.
That meant local favorite Big Tom Buchanan came in fourth.
Despite not getting the big check, the Rich Valley native told Patrick Evans last night, it was all worth it.
(------------)

[Saltville-Survivor]

While Smyth County's favorite son did not win the big prize, he did make a big impression on his home town.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon watched the show last night with Big Tom's family and friends.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was no surprise]
[SUPER=03-Rich Valley; :00]
[SUPER=01-Raymond Buchanan/Tom's Dad; :10]
[SUPER=01-Janavee Buchanan/Tom's Mom; :32]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;:46]
[RUNS=1:01]
[OUT Q=News 7 Rich Valley]

[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast, Leo will take a look at our weekend forecast,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Also we will meet a patriotic elephant turned artist.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Pritchett]

The man convicted in the Ironto rest stop murder is going to get a new trial.
The Virginia Supreme Court issued that ruling today in the appeal of Livingston "Bud" Pritchett.
A jury in Montgomery County found Pritchett guilty of killing Estel Singleton at the I-81 rest stop about five years ago.
The high court granted part of his appeal, saying that the judge improperly excluded some psychiatric testimony.

[Patriotic-Elephant]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

"George the Elephant" has created a masterpiece for "George the President."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston, OR;]

George is an elephant at the Wildlife Safari Park in Oregon.
Recently, he PAINTED-- yes painted-- a red, white, and blue picture for President Bush.
The painting is being framed and will be sent to the White House.
But "George the Elephant" isn't only an accomplished painter, he's also a musician.
Trainers say he can play "God Bless America" on a harmonica.
But one has to use a little imagination to hear the song.
(------------)
[Weather]
[NOON WEATHER]
[1/11/2002]
[TWO SHOT]
[WXPRO/FULL]

[Stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 12 points.
[super=460-x/12/x/1;]

Nasdaq has gained one point.

(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
In sports, while VMI's Jason Conley is setting records on the court - Off the court, he is setting a great example --
as an officer...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Tech went on a wild Huskie chase, but ended up losing the trail...We'll tell you more about those stories, coming up in sports.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

Ricky Stokes watches as his team falls behind in the first half.
Brian Chase pulls up behind the line for the jumper, and 2 of his game high 15 points.
But the Huskies answer the jumper .
Virginia Tech trailed 39 to 30 at the half.
Connecticut opened the second half with a 9 to nothing run.
[SUPER=33-Connecticut/95/Virginia Tech/60/; :]

Ben Gordon would lead the Huskies with 18.
Connecticut routs Virginia Tech 95 to 60.
(------------)

[S-Conley]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 (59:51)]
[GRAPHIC=VMI Logo]
V-M-I's Jason Conley is getting a nationwide salute.
Not only is he the LEADING scorer in Division one -- But he is a respected officer in the Corps of Keydets.
(/////SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Athletically, ]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jason Conley/Leads Nation In Scoring; :12]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/December 29; :19]
[SUPER=01-Bart Bellairs/VMI Head Coach; :39]
[SUPER=@Roy1; :49]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=.....Southern Conference."]
((Athletically, Conley's first year at V-M-I was slow. He sat out that year and focused all his attention to the Corps and his Studies.))
((JASON CONLEY/LEADS NATION IN SCORING:))
((The V-M-I coaching staff never questioned Conley's ability on the court. He leads the nation in scoring averaging 28 point 2 points a game. And the Keydet power forward was mentioned in sports illustrated with the likes of Duke's Jason Williams.))
((BART BELLAIRS/VMI HEAD COACH:))
((ROY STANLEY:))
((CONLEY:))
((The record may not show it, The Keydets are 5 and 8 heading into this weekend's game at East Tennessee State, but Conley brings the same attitude from the corps to the court and its rubbing off on his teammates.))
((BELLAIRS:))
((CONLEY:))
((If Conley continues, He will be an easy choice for rookie of the Year in the Southern Conference.))
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Roy]

That's it for sports. Have a great day everybody.

[S-Tice]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-115]
[GRAPHIC=VIKINGS]
There has been a change of plans for the Vikings - Tony Dungy will NOT replace Dennis Green as their head coach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Eden Prarie, MN; :00]
Yesterday, the Vikings promoted assistant coach Mike Tice, and gave him a three year contract to be the team's head coach.
The 42 year old Tice starred at the University of Maryland, and briefly played with the Redskins in 1989.
He's been a Vikings' assistant since 1996.
(------------)
[GRAPHIC=TAMPA BAY]

However a new report says that Dungy MUST win his playoff game with Tampa Bay this weekend to keep his job.
The Bucaneers's team owner has reportedly signed an agreement with Bill Parcells to take over the job if Dunghy is fired.
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL]
FINAL LOOK AT THE WEATHER
[REPRS@CL]
SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends
[SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]